Monday, November 9, 2009

Old Quilts and New Blocks!

Keep on reading.... I'll tell you about this block in a minute. First of all, though...

I love seeing what other people have done with my patterns - I marvel at their creativity and often wonder, "why didn't I think of that?!" Several years ago, I designed a "monster" quilt -- it has nine not-too-scary monsters on the face of it, and a poem is hand-stitched in the border. The poem says that monsters love to eat fabric... and unless you want to be their dinner... keep buying more fabric! It's a fun, whimsical quilt; here it is:

The Monster Quilt(c)2009 Susan H. Garman

Close-up of block from The Monster Quilt

And now back to the first picture of today's blog. I was invited to design an original block for Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks from Today's Top Designers -- a collector's edition magazine hitting store shelves now. While I am the least among the 100, I am still tickled to have been asked to create a block. Ta-dum! Here is "Star Checks."

You can check out Quiltmaker and follow the 100 Blocks Blog Tour daily, November 9-13 at http://www.quiltmaker.com/quiltypleasures for inspiration, ideas, and giveaways galore! Look for 100 Blocks from Today's Top Designers in your local quilt shop, or purchase it at www.quiltmaker.com/100blocks. Each day, a different set of quiltmakers in 100 Blocks will be featured. Check out Quiltmaker's website and blog -- you can find some awesome things there!

Now here is a SPECIAL BONUS. I welcome feedback; it helps me understand what you do and don't like. So... feel free to comment on my blog by November 11 -- share what you'd like to see more of, anything you'd like me to address, etcetera. ONE person will be chosen, via lottery, from those who comment -- and that person will receive a free copy of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks. Please don't post your address -- I will email the winner and ask for it later this week.

I recently received an email from Carolanne B, who shared her experience in making The Monster Quilt. Each month, as a volunteer story-teller in the local elementary school, she took a block with her and showed it to the students. After the first couple of months, she began taking only partially appliqued blocks with her to story-telling time, and she asked the students to choose the fabric for various elements. In the following month, the students got to see the results of their choices. For Carolanne, it was a lot of fun -- who else would have chosen orange lips with a lime green mouth on a purple monster? The additional note of amazement for me was that Carolanne did all of this while fighting breast cancer. Women are amazing: we can be incredibly strong, resilient, generous... you name it! Below is her quilt -- it won a ribbon in the Larimer County Fair in July of this year -- and there is also a close-up of two of the blocks that the students of Putnam Elementary School helped her choose fabric for.

75 comments:

I love the colors in the Monster quilt. So vibrant. My son has recently become scared of the dark. Maybe I'll let him pick fabric for his own monster quilt. As for the blog, I love seeing the progress on a quilt.

I love seeing what your working on, I love watching the progress of a quilt. By seeing the blocks close up I get to see fabric choices, I am always learning and inspired by others projects.One of my favorite posts was the quilt you bought off ebay and hand quilted and gave to your guild to raffle off, I still hope you will make it a pattern one dayit was a beautiful quilt. Something I have always wanted to do, hand quilt an antique quilt. Also love watching YOUR Baltimore album blocks!I love your block and can see a whole quilt made with the block.. can't you see red block /green block alternating???Kathie

Congrats on your block. I really enjoyed looking through your previous posts. I'm a new applique enthusiast so I found inspiration and some hints here. I enjoyed your post about filling in quilts with different styles of quilting. I'll be back:)

I love that you chose red and white for your block; and the design is lovely. I just purchased a red and white kit to do this winter. Doesn't go with my colors in the house; but just had to have it! LOL

The pictures of the monster quilt brings back memories. Several years ago, a lady asked me to make these blocks for her for a quilt for a grandchild. I gave her a dollar figure for making the blocks and wayunder estimated the time involved so ended up making about $1.00 an hour on the project. I did a great deal with 3-D embellishments and had a wonderful time playing with the monsters even though I didn't make money. I am looking forward to the 100 blocks book.

love the monsters! SO CUTE!!! and I love that lady, I don't know how she did it. I find it hard to give my time with two kids, a job, and no illnesses! She is an inspiration for sure! I think that monster quilt woudl be great to add to my stash of "in case anyone else gets pregnant soon" ideas =) All my friends are at that right age.

I love to see what you are working on. Color choices are difficult for me so I always look closely at what colors you are working with. My first love is applique (hand or machine). Thanks for everything that you do!

I love to see what you are working on. Color choices are difficult for me so I always look closely at what colors you are working with. My first love is applique (hand or machine). Thanks for everything that you do!

Hi Sue: I love your traditional style and color choices. Your 'Lily' quilt in chocolate, pink and green is one of my favorites. I'm still trying to find just the right fabrics to make this one. There are too many browns to choose from! Bought the pattern months ago. Keep on doing what you obviously love to do.

I love your great photos! You share really great shots to illustrate your post... that really helps. As a retired elementary teacher, the monster quilt story was really wonderful to read. Thanks for sharing!

I enjoyed the story of the monster quilt. I also love your block! I'm new to your blog, so not sure what you've blogged about in the past ... however, I'm learning to hand applique, so I would love to see any tips you might have on the applique process and techniques and what works best for you. Thanks!

First, I want to say that you are not the least of the 100. I love the red/white block they are always fun and inspiring. Just seeing the colors makes you want to get all the colors together on the floor and play. I love the monster quilt, and the story along with it. I think it should be marketed as a tool for promoting colors and self esteem in lower grades. I'm going to look around your blog because I would like to have some fun doing that pattern.

Love the story of the monster and what a great way of sharing a craft. Wonder how many of those students want to go away and learn. I love all your old quilts and your sharing of your applique techniques. That is what makes blogging so wonderful. The sharing community out there. I love your little bits of everything and just adore the old quilt you finished for your guild. What a journey that wonderful quilt has had. Now if you could hear all those quilts speak and translate for us :-) Wouldn't that be just wonderful.Thankyou for your wonderful blogCheersLynne

Sue, your block is the one I;m going to use for the red and white block I'm making starting in January, it's beautiful. I can't think of anything you should do but I want to tell you how much I like your up close photos, it's nice to see those.

Your monsters are so much fun! What a wonderful inspiring story from Carolanne! I love your quilt patterns, but I especially like seeing what others have done with them -- that helps me think of ways I can personalilze your patterns. I also like hearing about your thought processes as you're developing your quilts, and I certainly love seeing photos of your quilts -- in progress and completed! Thank you!!Robin

I've been following the blog hop of 100 blocks the last couple days and YOURS is one that spoke right to my heart!!! This is the first one that I've said, OH I HAVE TO MAKE THIS ONE! and I will... just you wait and see ;)

I'm assuming it finishes at 12" ?? and thanks for the giveaway - I'd love to win a copy so that Santa doesn't' have to roam every store in Texas to find his copy to put in my stocking this year ;)

This block you designed, Sue, is stunning. And, red is the perfect color for it. I like the quilt blogs that stick mostly to quilt and needlework related things. I also prefer sites where the text is dark on light (as opposed to light on dark, light on light, etc.) For me, if the green of your text was a little bit darker, it would be easier to read. You asked for "anything" and that's all I could think of because your content is great!

Love the monster quilt and the story about it! What a great kid's quilt!!

Also really like your red star block especially since I like to use a lot of different fabrics that coordinate in my blocks and quilts. Never too much fabric. Gives me an excuse to go out and buy more!!

Hi Sue. I have a question about your monster quilt blocks. I have the embroidery patterns and I'm using them to make the appliqued blocks. Should I enlarge the patterns? SOme of the pieces are too small to handle, like the teeth.

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About Me

I am a quilt designer who loves all aspects of quilting. Applique is my first love, but I am also very fond of complex, intricately pieced quilts. You can see many of my designs on my website -- WWW.COMEQUILT.COM. And if you want to contact me, send an email to: SHGARMAN @ VERIZON.NET. Take a look around and come back often - I hope to inspire you with my work!